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Saturday, June 2, 2012

I Take Back Everything I Ever Said About Pinterest

Not everything. It's still a major time suck, more than I'd even imagined actually. But it's an exquisite time suck.

Because here's what I didn't realize about Pinterest: it's majorly fun.

I know, right? Who knew?

Okay, so it's still not the great provider of story inspiration for me. Not how my brain works, not when I'm focused entirely on a story already in progress. My head's already kind of full, I guess. Not to say that Pinterest won't someday be a source of inspiry story goodness. It's possible I might come across something, even today, that makes me rethink a story I've already created or cause me to want to tweak a storyline or character. But, mostly as far as Pinterest and my stories go, right now? It's pretty dang awesome when I come across some new pin and think, Holy CRAP that's my [fill in the blank]!! Mega visual representation of what's already in my head and stuffed away into perfectly organized boards.

But Pinterest is more than just a tool for organizing story ideas and images.

Like you can learn how to actually make this. And also people will tell you if it's good and how easy it is and how much they bitegasmed over it; and if it appeals to you, you can pin it and return to it whenever you want. So easy. So scrumptious.

Which is funny and hits so close to home you have to snort as you pin it to your own "Crazytalk Full of Awesome" board just for kicks.

But also you can have boards with stuff like this:

It's not necessary to have a board dedicated entirely to Jared Leto, but, you know, if you wanted to and stuff, that's okay. (Had someone suggested an "Oh Jared" board as a possibility, I probably would've jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon ages ago.)

Or you might have an entire board dedicated just to "Hot Stuffs" or maybe you want a board dedicated to "Getting Your Hair Did Up" or to "Fancy Nail Lacquer Jobbies" or to "Miracle Solutions to Cleaning EVERYTHING" or to "Crafty Ideas that Will Make Your Head Explode" or you can do like Lola Sharp and have an entire board dedicated to "badass!"

Seriously, you know how you can find anything on the Internet? Well now all that stuff you never knew you were looking for finds its way to YOU. Or, you can go searching for it and now have a place to store it in such a way that others can see it, use it, and sing "HALLELUJAH [insert your name]!" because it was such an awesome pin.

And that's not all. The best part is you get to sort everything all out and label it and stuff, even adding funny/stupid comments if you want. It's like girls gone wild with a label gun--and the whole world gets to see what an amazing organizer you are. All those skills you've built up over the years creating little labeled cubbies and type A control freak craziness in your pantries and linen closets and garages and underwear drawers finally get their own bat channel. Other people can now dip into your little cubbies and use the stuff you store away (when you pin something to a board, it shows up on the pin stream of all the people following that board)*. And unlike with all those recipe books you own, which have collected enough dust to warrant a hazmat investigation, you can sort recipe pins into something like "Eat Me" like me, or you can break it down to "Gluten Free Eats" or "Yellow Food." Whatever trips your trigger, Tiger.

Also? Also? If you've got a super brilliant idea/image/whatever you want to share with the world, you can upload it and pin that sucker and watch it get blasted across Pinterest like juicy gossip. There's so much you can pin. Music videos, movie clips, recipes, clothes you want, trips you want to take, fantasy imagery, tips and tricks, photography ideas--ANYTHING YOUR BRAIN CAN HATCH.

Oh lord, I think I just had an Herbal Essense moment. Total mind blow.

I swear, I'm an addict now. Thanks, Lola Sharp.

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If you're not using Pinterest but are curious, check out these pinners to start with. They've been at this a lot longer than I have, and I end up repinning a lot of their stuff: Actually, check them out even if you're on it already.

36 comments:

Pinterest is just one of those things that I've dabbled in, but just haven't found the time to really explore. I'm no dummy though, so when it comes time to really figure this thing out, its best to learn (lurk) from the experts + fellow writers! :)

I am not using Pinterest because I'm too easily distracted. You're looking at the gal who had to delete her Goodreads account for goodness sake! If I was smart I'd get rid of Twitter, too. I just ignore FB because I don't like it, but ohhh, Pinterest is way too shiny. Must. Resist. The Shiny!

I adore Pinterest (as you know!). So much good stuff for visually inspired folks! Thanks for including me on your fab list of pinners (ooh, added some more to my list--pretty, pretty pictures). I have a bunch of fave pinners (esp. those who pin adorable, drool-worthy men) including MG Buehrlen (http://pinterest.com/mgbuehrlen/).

Oh God. I am so holding off from Pininterest. But can I say this? I can not wait until you are published. You are an amazing writer, and even when you are writing about Pininterest which I am avoiding with all my strength, I want to keep reading and reading. You have such amazing talent. I can actually feel your words. It is so clear when you are writing from your depths.

The great thing about Pinterest is it's a usable time suck. I've made SO MANY things from my pins....food, cocktails, party theme ideas, how-to stuff, decorating, organizing. I've sincerely learned some real stuff too (history, health, etc.). And, because we don't have to respond 'socially', I can pop in and out of it sans guilt. I do love it for visual inspiration/eye candy too, obviously.For writing, you can make visual story boards, but also research story stuff too. I find it very inspiring and useful in many different ways. Also, it's fun seeing what your friends pin, what they like, what inspires them, etc.

I try to look at it as a time SAVE. I keep my favorite recipe finds on my boards, then pull out my iPad at the grocery to see what I need. I don't have to write grocery lists, because it's already on my boards. That's my justification and I'm sticking to it...

Yay! I made it onto the list. Thank you! Pinterest is definitely addicting. I find myself on there for hours just scanning through pins. But, I've made tons of stuff that I found on Pinterest. I love it!

LOL! You are so hilarious. It's too true--I see your pins all the time. But see? I actually often get inspiration from photographs. So for me it's a double-win! I think I'm on there at leightmoore, but I know we're hooked up. Thanks for giving me those guys's links. I'm connected to almost all. Yay!

No, no, no, I just can't! It's too much. I saw your post days ago and am only just now getting back to actually read it. But please keep sharing some of your fun Pinterest finds with those of us who can't keep up. :)

I totally know what you mean! I joined Pintrist just a little while ago, and it takes up SOOOO much of my time! But then again, I can keep inspiration for stories in different boards, so that's always fun :)

Hah! Welcome to pinterest! It is indeed a timesuck. What's worse is I've already half-moved to another platform that just went live last week; it's called loveit. It is very much like pinterest but with some expanded options.

In any case, I'm kangaru on pinterest! I use it to collect beautiful book covers, cool knick-knacks, fashion, and I make story inspiration boards. I'm off to check out your boards!